Neuropsychological Exam?

Hi Everyone,

   I was wondering if any of you have ever had a Neuropsychological exam done and if so what was involved in the process? I have been reading what I can find but, would love to hear from someone that has actually done this.

   My rheumy is sending me for this exam on Friday morning. She and my Internal Medicine doc say I have Autonomic Dysfunction causing all kinds of problems. My rheumy actually told me I had this back in 2005 when I was having seizures.

   I'm just frustrated right now. You all know how it is when you wait and wait for the answers and for them to do something about the problem.... .

   Anyway tks in advance and hope you are all doing okay. Thoughts and prayers to all. Take care.

                                                        Love, Babs

Babs,
I saw a neurologist and had the spinal tap, ecg and ct scan. I was diagnosed with Cerebritis, but I drew the line a neuropsychological exam. I told my nephrologist, who acts as my primary that I did not want to know some things and did not want to subject myself to that. I was treated several times for the cerebritis. I still have some memory issues and occasionally speech problems. Other than that it's the usual 'fog'. God Bless you and good luck! Judy

Hey - I have my first visit w/the neuropsych guy today at 3:30 -- I think this visit is for about an hour mainly to determine which tests I need. My tests will be to determine and qualify the extent of my cognitive dysfunction due to Lupus. If there is measurable dysfunction, it means I'm stupider than I used to be & can't work & get disability, otherwise I'm still a smart ass so need to go back to work. No winning answers for me! Will let you know more as I see how it goes.

Today they did a basic background/history interview -- education, jobs you've worked, that sort of thing. Apparently they take that and the dr's goals (in my case my disability attorney's goals) and work up a series of applicable tests. Once they have a plan, they take that to your health insurance for approval before the tests are actually scheduled. It may, of course, be different when it's used for diagnostic purposes. They said it's several hours of testing, but that you can take frequent breaks between tests....I think there are several dozen tests they pick from depending on what they are trying to determine....forensic cognitive functions for me, ie comparing cognition now w/cognition in the past. (Don't ask me, sounds a lot like magic tea reading....) That's all I know so far, will try and keep you posted....so far it's given me a huge headache (or maybe that's the weather?! ) Later gaters,

Hi Everyone,

   I had my first evualation on Friday. I started off with a written questionaire of about 500 true/false questions...... . Alot of them were off the wall questions and I had to laugh at some..... .

   After that he called me in his office and got the background history...work/school/medical of me and family. Then he told me to remember 3 words he gave me and started asking all kinds of other things. After that torture he ask me what the 3 words were.....LOL, like I would remember...I did get one out of three.... .

   He said I would probably have 2 or 3 more sessions for about an hour. The next one is on Wednesday. I asked him the reason my rheumy sent me to him and he said it was for cognitive function evualation. Hopefully, after all this he will be able to determine something.

   I will let you all know how it goes on wednesday. Take care!

                                                               Love, Babs

This is extremely interesting. I'm watching this topic and curious to see how things go for each of you. I've been too chicken to bring up the cognitive issues with my docs. Thinking it will be a wild goose chase and I'll have more doctor visits, tests and no conclusion. I hope you both benefit from this evaluation. It sounds like an exhausting affair. Blessings!

Babs and Lynnwood, I'm wishing both of you all the best and pray that all of your tests come back normal. I've been worried about my memory and scheduled a neuropsych work-up but before they would see me they sent me to my neurologist. After he tested me he said my memory was normal and he didn't recommend the neuropsych workup but it was a nightmare going through all the worry. So I kind of understand what you guys are going through and I'll say a prayer for each of you. Please keep us informed of the results.

Love,

Pat

My tests didn't seem to be at all directed toward the question my attorney who sent me there wanted resolved, which was " determine what functional capability is possible in a 4-hour work period." I spent from 9:30-4 doing the testing, on a day when I had some mild vertigo going on - just enough to have to get a ride to the drs office. They sat me directly under an air conditioning vent, beside a 7th story open window, with a giggly tester who laughed when I asked about turning off the a/c saying "at least you brought a jacket, lots of people come in with nothing to bundle in" -- how are they qualified to test anyone when they can't even figure out the a/c is at too low a temp? And a 7th story window when you have vertigo, trees blowing & moving beneath you? ARG Bunch of normal tests, plus a couple of bizarre ones; "why do we have child labor laws?", "who was the president during the civil war?" Personality tests, logic, math, reading comprehension, etc. And then, after hurrying to get the testing done in June for insurance reasons -- the doctor is going on vacation and can't talk to you about these until July 17th!!!! So at least another month till any progress can be made on challenging my disability insurance company!!!! Babs, have you gotten any results from your tests yet? Hope it's more helpful than mine have been so far.

Lynn,

   My testing is basically on the same lines as yours except mine is drawn out. I have already been in 3 times and was suppose to go today but have some swollen glands in my neck. It seems like each time I go the worse my memory is...... . I hope this next visit will be my last.

   Let us know what you find out.

                                                                                 Babs

I forgot to post here - my tests said I do have significant cognitive dysfunction, particularly in the learning, memory, and motor response areas. And also that I'm depressed and need therapy and anti-depressants. I think the "need therapy and antidepressants" is standard so they can keep getting paid!!!! I can't imagine anyone with Lupus NOT being depressed, esp. if they have active symptoms. My neuropsych also went further and said my "emotional state" may be worsening any symptoms I might have...I think that's based on the fact that stress aggravates my symptoms, so I am hyper alert to stress...seems pretty darn normal to me! Crazy, isn't it? Babs, Will your insurance let you get the care the neuropsych is recommending?